#BlackHistory365 in the Workplace Guide

Posted in Feature Spotlight

Feature Spotlight-Article Repost

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

In the spirit of Black History Month, I wanted to make sure I shared with my BFF family a great article in the “Washington Post” from a colleague/mentor Dr. Keisha Blain on the “Five Myths about Black History.”

Each February since 1976, Americans have celebrated Black History Month. Established by historian Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week in 1926, the commemoration developed over 50 years until it became Black History Month to mark the contributions of Black people. Despite the significance of Black history, far too many Americans don’t grasp its centrality to U.S. history. This lack of knowledge helps spread myths about the Black past.

~Dr. Keisha N. Blain 2/19/21

Read the full article here!

Dr. Keisha N. Blain is an associate professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, is a co-editor of Made by History, The Washington Post’s daily section for historical analysis. She is a co-editor of “Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019.“

Posted in Feature Spotlight

Event Reminders

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Friends, just a couple reminders of Dr. G’s upcoming events:

  • [WILL BE RESCHEDULED] February 24th, 2021 (6:00pm/ET)-“Black History Month Discussion: The Black Family and its Representations, Identity, and Complexities” (Panelist)…Richmond Public Library System (Richmond, VA) [Register Here]
"The Black family and its representation, identity, and diversity": A discussion with Michael Dickinson, Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, and Grace Gipson
  • February 24th, 2021-“What’s Your RPG Fantasy?: Let’s Talk Blackness, Politics, and Gaming” (Virtual Lecture)… The New Commons Project-University of Maine Farmington (Farmington, ME)…[Watch Here]
Posted in On the Desk...

On the Desk…

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

“True beauty is skin deep!!”….“Loving the skin that I’m in!”

As part of my regular routine, every morning I scroll through my Apple News app to see what is going on in the world. And yesterday I got wind of some exciting news!! Now as someone who is a collector of children’s books (particularly ones that feature Black children), so as you can imagine I was excited to know and get Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o’s 2019 book, “Sulwe”. This is a visually, captivating book that speaks to the Black girl experience, as it tells the story of a young, dark-skinned Black girl who wants to be accepted and seen as beautiful. And even before reading the first page of the book I was immediately drawn in based off of the cover!! All the varying blues and purple colors, the stars twinkling in the background, and then right front and center and image of a precocious Black girl reaching out! Here is a book that is literally talking to my 7-year old self!!

As noted by Nyong’o, “The story of Sulwe is one that is very close to my heart…It was a long journey for me to arrive at self-love. Sulwe is a mirror for dark-skinned children to see themselves, a window for those who may not be familiar with colorism, to have understanding and empathy.”

That excitement would continue as I would learn that Netflix has plans to unveil “Sulwe” (a New York Times bestselling children’s book) as an animated musical feature with Nyong’o as producer!!

Nyong’o tweeted on February 18th, 2021, “Sulwe is going to be an animated movie!! Thank you to the readers of all ages who have joined #Sulwe on her starry ride. I’m so excited for this next adventure on @Netflix! #BrightnessIsJustWhoYouAre

This is definitely something to celebrate as the animated musical feature will continue to highlight and showcase what the book has already established by providing another platform for Black girls to embrace the idea of #selflove; while also addressing issues of colorism and re-writing the beauty standard narrative. Having this message personified through various mediums of popular culture is crucial and can and is life-changing! For little Black girls to see themselves presented in a book and on the television screen that is shown in an empowering light, is quite powerful!!

And to tide you over before the animated feature hits Netflix check out Lupita reading “Sulwe” on the Netflix original series, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! see below:

“I cannot run away from who I am and my complexion or the larger society, and how they may view that.” ― Lupita Nyong’o

“I am dripping melanin and honey. I am black without apology.” ― Upile Chisala

Posted in Conversations with Beloved & Kindred

Conversations with Beloved & Kindred-Episode 4

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

NEW EPISODE ALERT!!

Folks!! Oooooooo man, I’m excited about this next episode of “Conversations with Beloved and Kindred”!! Think the imaginary…Harlem…Black Excellence…Black wealth… For episode 4, Dr. Robinson and I dive into the 1989 “blassic” (‘Black Classic’ tune in to hear how we came up with the term lol) Harlem Nights!

Remember you can watch it here on Thursday February 25th at 7 pm/ET!! For more information on the event, see here!

Mark Your Calendars!!

Posted in On The Radar

On The Radar

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Dr. G’s Upcoming Events

Wow!! February is truly flying by, but it is definitely one for the books.

As we get ready to close out Black History Month, I wanted to make sure I shared with you all some upcoming events in which you can see me in action”!!

February 23rd, 2021

  • VCU Unlocking Health Equity Panel-“Are Cultural Images Fueling our Bias?” [Watch the Event Here!] Event begins at 12 pm/ET!
  • Chesterfield Public Library-Black History Month Program, “Black Women in American Pop Culture:” A discussion on the various portrayals of  Black women in American pop culture. [Register for the event here!] Event begins at 7 pm/ET!

February 24th, 2021

  • The New Commons Project-University of Maine Farmington-“What’s Your RPG Fantasy?: Let’s Talk Blackness, Politics, and Gaming” (Virtual Lecture)…(Farmington, ME)…[Watch Here]
  • Richmond Public Library System Black History Month Discussion- “The Black Family and its Representations, Identity, and Complexities” (Panelist)…(Richmond, VA)…[Register for the event here] Event begins at 6 pm/ET
"The Black family and its representation, identity, and diversity": A discussion with Michael Dickinson, Kimberly Wallace-Sanders, and Grace Gipson

February 25th, 2021

  • VCU Activities Programming Board- “Education, Covid-19, and Classroom Learning”: A open dialogue on the current state of education, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact on today’s learning, (Panelist)…(Richmond, VA)…Event begins at 6 pm/ET!
  • Conversations with Beloved and Kindred–Episode 4: “Harlem Nights”…Auburn Avenue Research Library…[Live Streaming Here]… Event begins at 7 pm/ET!
  • Berkeley Center for New Media- “Fandom+Piracy Keynote w/Rebecca Wanzo: “How Should We Theorize Injury in Fan Studies?” (Panelist/Interlocuter)…(Berkeley, CA)…[Register Here]…Event begins at 8 pm/ET!
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Posted in On The Radar

On the Radar

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Peep Game Comix and The Comic Book Shopping Experience present the 2021 ‘Black Comix Universe’ Virtual Comic Con

Two of my favorite things Black History and comics…And what better way to close out Black History Month than with a virtual comic con!! So as part of Black History Month, Peep Game Comix and The Comic Book Shopping Experience will be closing out with a 2-day virtual comic con, Black Comix Universe; the virtual comic con event will take place on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday, February 28!

The purpose of the event is to educate comic book fans about the amazing work and impact Black creators are having in the comic book industry. The 16 hour event will stream live on several platforms including: Youtube, Facebook, Twitch and others. ~Peep Game Comix

During these two eventful days there will be a host of panel presentations along with featured guests like Afua Richardson (Illustrator, Indie Publisher,Musician), John Jennings (Illustrator, Publisher), Tim Fielder (Illustrator, Author), Joseph Illidge (Editor, Writer), and more!!

This is a con you do not want to miss…I know I won’t!!

For more information about the Virtual Con and Peep Game Comix see here!!

~Dr. G

Posted in On The Radar

On The Radar

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

New Trailer Alert!! Disney+ Series “Loki”

After getting the news back in November 2018 that Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) villain “Loki” would be starring in his own series on Disney +, fans patiently waited for further news of its release!

Unfortunately, fans would be in limbo as the release date for “Loki” was stuck in TBA status primarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which paused shooting in Atlanta (this impacted the filming of other Disney+ shows as well) after two months of filming. However, production would resume in September 2020 and finish in December, and now we have a May 2021 confirmed release.

Check out the trailer below:

With a May 2021 premiere date this is perfect timing for some Memorial Day Weekend binging!

Posted in Monthly Book Recommendations, Resources

Dr. G’s February 2021-Book Recommendations

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

When I tell you I love to read that is really an understatement! Outside of traveling and going to the movies, I have always loved picking up a book and getting my reading fix. I remember as a kid participating in reading challenges in school and at the local library, going to the Scholastic Book fair, and Now my fondest memory when it comes to reading was the Pizza Hut Book-It program, collecting those 5 golden stars was the key to many dinners that included a personal pan pizza. (All Cheese for me!!) What a cool way to encourage reading! And for many of my friends it “low-key” became a competition to not only see who could read the most, but also who could collect the most pizza coupons. One thing was for sure, my mama and grandma did not have to worry about whether I was into reading!

Image result for pizza hut book it
Old School “Book It” pin

The importance of reading has always and continues to be a regular topic of conversation and discussion, especially in the K-12 school system. We are at a point, where you can literally access a book or magazine via your phone, tablet, iPad, laptop, and of course old school physical book. And even though there are many avenues for reading books these days (Kindle, Audible, AudioBooks Now, Downpour, Apple Audio Books, Scribd, Libro.fm, and many more) it is nothing like having the hard, physical copy. For me it’s all about being able to turn the page, fold the corners, write in the date/year when I got it, and using a creative, colorful bookmark.

But I could go on and on about my love of books and reading!! As a result of this bibliophilia, I wanted to make sure that I shared with you on a monthly basis some book recommendations. Each month I will share my top 5 books to read and/or add to your library. These books will range from memoirs, to academic research books, to graphic novels, and much more. Each month will be a new surprise!! So without further ado here is my February 2021 Book Recommendations:

And if you missed January’s recommendation you can check out the list in the “Resource” section of the website!

~Dr. G

Posted in Feature Spotlight

‘Just Talk/Talk Just’ Panel Discussion Recap

Posted on by drblackfuturefeminist

Just in case you were not able to tune into the “Just Talk/Talk Just” panel discussion How Long Till Black Future Month: Honoring Black History, Cultivating Black Futures you can check it out below:

This was a great discussion and dialogue!! It was like good ol’ school conversation amongst colleagues and friends.

Ultimately a true pleasure to share the ‘digital stage’ with some great scholars (Rev. Melanie C. Jones, Rev. Dr. Sakena Young-Scaggs, De’Angelo Dia, and Sommer Jordan)!